Highlanders look to build - on despite disruptions
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday October 11, 2019 11:17
Highlanders are in their second year in the Premiership after keeping their status last season. They endured a tough campaign in their first season and finished on position 11 with 36 points. This season the aim is a top eight finish, coach Blessing Moyo said.
“We have to thank our sponsors, they have been patiently supporting us. The only payment we can give to them is positive results. We need to compete in next season’s Mascom Top 8 so that they gain mileage; that is the payment we wish to give to them,” he said.
Moyo has put together a young and relatively unknown squad. They have already proven their potential with astonishing displays in some league encounters. Highlanders have won three of their five matches and lost the other two. They sit on position six with nine points.
The Mahalapye outfit gave a good account of themselves in the 2-1 defeats to Prisons XI and log leaders, Security Systems respectively. Moyo’s charges claimed the scalp of struggling Notwane and Gilport Lions 1-0 and also recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Police XI. They have scored six times and conceded five goals.
The coach believes the team has gelled and is responding well after beefing up in some positions where they were exposed last season. He said the squad is now balanced, and responding well.
Moyo has no doubts they could spring a surprise against any tough opponent.
He said the camp had fewer distractions and the players are comfortable, thanks to the contributions of the sponsor, Botswana Railways. He, however, bemoaned constant fixture interruption, which break momentum.
He said they couldn’t get the best from the players in midweek games when fixtures are congested.
“Consistency is a problem. It is really difficult with the breaks and the unnecessary congested fixtures. We have a good team, but sometimes we can’t get the best out of them because of the schedule,” he said.
“I have no doubt that once the season gets into full swing, we will compete. I am confident these boys will achieve the target if injuries and suspensions don’t stand in our way.”
Moyo said they were eagerly awaiting their next fixture against Jwaneng Galaxy. He said last season they were at the receiving end of painstaking 3-0 defeats at the hands of Galaxy in both their league meetings.
“We suffered a lot at the hands of Galaxy, but that was owed to our mistakes.
We played exciting football because their style of play is almost similar to ours. We are an improved team and are preparing to give them a run for their money,” Moyo said.